Lightweight anchor for small watercraft

Abstract

An anchor for small watercraft. It is extremely lightweight, and can be stored in a very small space. The anchor consists of a pear-shaped fabric ballast container. This container is made up of a number of matching side panels and a circular bottom disc. A set of four metal or composition flukes attached to the ballast container near the bottom and at the widest part of the container. Each fluke is about 9-11″ long, ¾″ wide, ½″ thick, with an angled tip at one or both ends. The flukes are thus deployed by weighting the bag with material like gravel or sand, which forces the flukes to protrude sharp angle from the ballast bag. When filled with material, the anchor approximates the function of traditional fluke or bell anchors. The anchor can be turned inside out for self-storage, requiring no additional storage container.

1. An anchor for small watercraft comprising:
 a) a hollow pouch having a bottom, a generally pear-shaped side wall, attached to said bottom, and an open top; 
 b) a means for closing said open top, operably installed on said pouch; 
 c) at least one fluke, pivotably attached to said pouch; and 
 d) a means for restraining the movement of said at least one fluke about said pouch. 
 
     
     
       2. The anchor of  claim 1  wherein said fluke has a lower angled portion. 
     
     
       3. The anchor of  claim 1  wherein the means for closing said open top include a drawstring. 
     
     
       4. The anchor of  claim 1  wherein the means for restraining the movement of said at least one fluke comprise a strap, secured to said pouch and said fluke whereby said strap restrains the pivoting movement of said fluke. 
     
     
       5. The anchor of  claim 1  further comprising a means of ballasting said anchor, removably installed in said pouch. 
     
     
       6. The anchor of  claim 5  wherein the means for ballasting are selected from the group of: sand, pebbles and small rocks. 
     
     
       7. An anchor for small watercraft comprising:
 a) a hollow pouch having a bottom, a generally pear-shaped side wall, attached to said bottom, and an open top; 
 b) a means for closing said open top, operably installed on said pouch; 
 c) three flukes, pivotably attached to said pouch; and 
 d) a means for restraining the movement of said three flukes about said pouch. 
 
     
     
       8. The anchor of  claim 7  wherein each of said three flukes has a lower angled portion. 
     
     
       9. The anchor of  claim 7  wherein the means for closing said open top include a drawstring. 
     
     
       10. The anchor of  claim 7  wherein the means for restraining the movement of said at least one fluke comprise three straps, each of said three straps being secured to said pouch and to one of said three flukes whereby each of said straps restrains the pivoting movement of one of said three flukes. 
     
     
       11. The anchor of  claim 7  further comprising a means of ballasting said anchor, removably installed in said pouch. 
     
     
       12. The anchor of  claim 11  wherein the means for ballasting are selected from the group of: sand, pebbles and small rocks. 
     
     
       13. The anchor of  claim 7  further comprising means for pivotably attaching the three flukes to said pouch. 
     
     
       14. The anchor of  claim 13  wherein the means for attaching the three flukes comprises a set of mechanical fasteners.